Thursday, August 10, 2017

Brandon McCadney, known in music circles as Mad Keys, originally conceived of the show as a way to propose to his girlfriend.

A unique music experience is coming this Saturday to the 14th Street Artist Community (2701 N. 14th Street). This event, entitled "The Family Room," aims to forge a bond between performers and audience members that is unlike the atmosphere at a typical concert.

"The Family Room" will connect the audience with the artists in an intimate and unique setting. The show is set to feature performances by local artists Orlando Vaughn, Mad Keys and Zado.

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Photo provided by the artist

Zado

The inspiration behind the event originally came from Brandon McCadney, a.k.a. Mad Keys, as a format for him to propose to his girlfriend, now fiancé. After proposing earlier than he anticipated, McCadney brought the idea of the show to his friends Edward Hawthorne (Zado) and Orlando Lloyd (Orlando Vaughn). "The idea changed from it just being just an event to creating a really intimate way for audiences to truly connect with the artist," McCadney explains.

As opposed to the stage being set up against the wall, the trio plans on moving the stage to the center of the room and designing it in a personalized way. "We're going to decorate the stage with items from each of our rooms," explains McCadney. This will give the audience a "360 degree view" of their performances.

McCadney says the goal of the project is to extend the boundaries of a "normal show" and bring the audience closer to the artist. "When you go to a show you see [the artist] on a pedestal and they seem unobtainable," says McCadney.

The three performers have been longtime friends and collaborators and couldn't see a better way to bring audiences a family environment without each other. "Being able to plan this event has drawn us closer together and has also prepared us for executing other innovative ideas we have later on down the road," expresses McCadney.

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Photo provided by the artist

Orlando Vaughn

Hawthorne, fellow performer and organizer, explains how the trio has such great chemistry and that they have such an organic connection working together that putting this event on as a collective "only makes sense."

McCadney has been organizing music showcases in St. Louis as well as Cape Girardeau since 2012. "This is the first time we've ever done anything like this and honestly I foresee us doing a lot more in the future," he says.

The title "The Family Room" was chosen because the three artists feel that they are as close as family. "We want others to come into an atmosphere filled with love, creativity and excitement," says McCadney.

The show is set to kick-off at 8 p.m. You can learn more information about "The Family Room" on its website — tickets are available here.